About this place
Brožova skála is a small but striking nature monument located northeast of the village of Sklené, in the Žďár nad Sázavou district within the Vysočina region of the Czech Republic. The site falls under the administration of the Žďárské vrchy Protected Landscape Area and covers just 1.07 hectares, making it one of the more intimate protected sites in the region rather than a large-scale attraction.
What is Brožova skála?
The protected feature is a geomorphologically significant rock formation classified as a frost-shattered blockfield. The rocky ridge stretches roughly 100 meters long and 30 meters wide, extending about 200 meters along the slope, and is split into three separate rock blocks rising around twenty meters above their surroundings. The rock itself is composed of leucocratic biotite migmatite, a metamorphic rock formed through partial melting and recrystallization of older material. At the base of the formation lie geologically significant scree deposits, evidence of the intense frost-weathering processes that shaped the landscape over time.
What does the surrounding nature look like?
The rocky ridge supports a remnant of mixed spruce-beech forest, where Norway spruce and European beech grow alongside silver fir and sycamore maple. Beneath the rocks, a rich understory has developed, typical of old-growth stands of this kind. This old forest character is what gives the site value beyond geology alone — it provides habitat for bird species tied specifically to mature, structurally diverse woodland.
What species live here?
The reserve is home to nesting black woodpeckers, common wood pigeons, nuthatches, and the Eurasian pygmy owl — one of Europe's smallest owl species, which depends on exactly this kind of old, cavity-rich forest. The presence of these species confirms the high ecological value of the preserved forest fragment, despite the small size of the protected area.
When was the reserve established?
The rock formation, together with the surrounding forest, was granted legal protection in 1983. The designation aimed to preserve both the unique geological structure and the remnants of natural forest that, in many other parts of the region, have been replaced by managed spruce monocultures.
Who is this place for?
Brožova skála appeals to geology enthusiasts, birdwatchers, and anyone seeking quiet, less-traveled walking routes in the Žďárské vrchy highlands. It is not a major national tourist draw, but for visitors interested in how frost and weathering shape a landscape over millennia — and for those keen on observing forest birdlife — it offers an authentic, worthwhile stop near Sklené.
Frequently asked questions
Where exactly is Brožova skála located? The reserve lies northeast of the village of Sklené in the Žďár nad Sázavou district, Vysočina region, within the Žďárské vrchy Protected Landscape Area.
How large is the protected area? The reserve covers 1.07 hectares.
What is the rock formation made of? It consists of leucocratic biotite migmatite, divided into three rock blocks reaching about twenty meters in height.
What animals can be seen here? The old-growth stand is home to nesting black woodpeckers, wood pigeons, nuthatches, and Eurasian pygmy owls.
Since when has the area been protected? The site has held protected status since 1983.
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